Ball marker retention system

Abstract

A golf ball marker is carried in open display on a fabric article of golf clothing or other fabric golf accessory and remains in position due to the force of magnetism. To produce this effect, a layer of magnetic material is secured in position in contact with a concealed side of a layer of fabric in the article of golf clothing or other golf accessory. The golf ball marker is constructed of a ferrous material so that when it is placed into contact with an exposed surface of the same layer of fabric against which the magnetic material is secured opposite the layer of magnetic material, the ball marker is held by the force of magnetic attraction against the exposed surface of the to fabric layer. The ball marker remains in position until purposefully dislodged by a force that opposes the magnetic field created by the magnetic material. This force may be applied by the thumb and forefinger of the golfer's hand to remove the golf ball marker from the fabric layer. The layer of magnetic material may be incorporated into the bill or band of a hat or cap, the bill or band of a golf sun visor, the closure flap of a golfing glove, or in a golf towel.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination, an article of golf clothing formed of a flexible material having an exterior surface, a magnetic material permanently attached to said article of clothing beneath said exterior surface thereof, whereby said magnetic material exerts a magnetic field of attraction that acts through said flexible material, and a golf ball marker formed of a ferrous material placed in contact with said exterior surface of said flexible material within said magnetic field, whereby said golf ball marker adheres to said article of clothing on said exterior surface thereof unless dislodged therefrom by a force stronger than said magnetic field. 
     
     
       2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said article of golf clothing is a hat. 
     
     
       3. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a sun visor. 
     
     
       4. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a golfing glove. 
     
     
       5. In combination, a golf accessory constructed of fabric, a magnetic material permanently secured within the confines of said fabric so as to exert a force of magnetic attraction therethrough, and a golf ball marker formed of ferrous material located upon the exterior of said fabric within the field of said force of magnetic attraction, whereby said ball marker remains secured in place on said exterior of said fabric until removed by a force that overcomes said force of magnetic attraction. 
     
     
       6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein said golf accessory is formed as an article of headwear. 
     
     
       7. A combination according to claim 5 wherein said golf accessory is formed as a golfing glove. 
     
     
       8. A combination according to claim 5 wherein said golf accessory is formed as a golf towel. 
     
     
       9. A method of carrying a golf ball marker in open display on a fabric golf accessory comprising: securing a layer of magnetic material to a concealed surface of a layer of fabric of said golf accessory, and placing a golf ball marker formed of a ferrous material in contact with an exposed surface of said layer of fabric opposite said layer of magnetic material, whereby a magnetic field produced by said layer of magnetic material acts through said layer of fabric to hold said golf ball marker against said exposed surface of said layer of fabric until an opposing force stronger than said magnetic field dislodges said golf ball marker from said layer of fabric. 
     
     
       10. An improvement to a fabric golf visor having a stiff bill and a band attached to said bill for encircling the head of a wearer comprising a layer of magnetic material embedded in said bill, whereby the magnetic force of attraction of said magnetic material acts through the fabric structure of said visor.